Everyone, especially women, deserve to feel safe regardless of where they are. Unfortunately, predators lurk everywhere and they often wait for the right time to attack.
On Saturday (30 April), on her Facebook account, a Malaysian named Charlene shared her terrifying encounter with someone who sexually harassed her at a mall in Petaling Jaya.
The incident took place last Friday (29 April) around 6:30 pm when Charlene visited the mall with her best friend. They were both looking for Zara and as Raya was just around the corner, the mall was crowded. Charlene then felt somebody softly touching her buttocks. She initially ignored it as she thought it was not on purpose but her friend told her it was actually intentional.
For illustration purposes only.
“My friend pulled me to the escalator and told me there’s a guy who has been following us for quite some time. I turned around & I saw a man wearing a face mask”, Charlene said.
After doing the heinous act, the man followed them up the escalator. Charlene decided to look him directly in the eyes and he immediately looked away.
Charlene’s friend persuaded her to go away but out of anger, she decided to stay where they were and wanted to see if the man dared to keep following them. When they saw him again, Charlene gave the man a fierce stare which prompted the man to walk the opposite direction.
Fueled with anger, Charlene took out her phone to take a photo of the man. When the man noticed, he immediate ran away.
‘Why run?! Was he scared? His decision to run away only proved my suspicions of him following us and sexually harassing me to be right.”
It’s traumatic
Soon after the incident, Charlene somehow blamed herself for not being alert enough.
“I should’ve taken his photos silently.”
She also highlighted on the trauma that a girl will have to endure following a harassment like this.
“Yes, my buttock is not injured & I don’t know how much he enjoyed it, but the fear, the disgust, and the trauma will not vanish even after a long time.”
She ended her post by asking, “Why can’t women in this society get more respect?”
但愿所有的女性都可以被尊重。当遇到这种事，受害者总是懊悔自己当时做得不够好。该害怕的，不应该是你，是他！该自责的，一定不是你，是他！我真的很生气。事情是昨天发生的，我现在比当下更愤怒了。-【日期：2022年4月29日…
Posted by Charlene Wsy on Saturday, April 30, 2022
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Charlene said the thought of reporting to the management of the mall and lodging a police report only came to her mind when she saw the comments on her post. She was too stunned to do so initially.
However, she also said that she will not proceed to make a police report but hopes that her post will create an awareness and serve as a reminder for the ladies to be alert.
Ladies, do be careful and alert of your surroundings. If you notice anyone suspicious that may bring you harm, seek help immediately.
Also read: “If you don’t have a bf, sit with me” – M’sian Harassed While Eating Alone in PJ Restaurant
